Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Have they taken (others) as intercessors besides Allâh? Say: "Even if they have power over nothing whatever and have no intelligence?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَمِamiOr
ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ittakhadhūhave they taken
مِنminbesides
دُونِdūnibesides
ٱللَّهِl-lahiAllah
شُفَعَآءَ ۚshufaʿāaintercessors
قُلْqulSay
أَوَلَوْawalawEven though
كَانُوا۟kānūthey were
لَاlānot
يَمْلِكُونَyamlikūnapossessing
شَيْـًۭٔاshayananything
وَلَاwalāand not
يَعْقِلُونَyaʿqilūnathey understand
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 43) ➊ { اَمِاتَّخَذُوْامِنْدُوْنِاللّٰهِشُفَعَآءَ :} That is, instead of taking any lesson from the state of death and sleep and understanding that only Allah Almighty is the disposer of every matter, they have made some other deities, whom they consider as intercessors before Allah. ➋ Due to {قُلْاَوَلَوْكَانُوْالَايَمْلِكُوْنَشَيْـًٔاوَّلَايَعْقِلُوْنَ : ’’ كَانُوْا ‘‘}, there is continuity in the negation of {’’ لَايَمْلِكُوْنَشَيْـًٔا ‘‘}, therefore it is translated as, "What! Even though they never possess anything nor have any understanding?" That is, will these people still continue to worship them, considering them their intercessors, keep making vows and offerings in their names, and keep using them as a means in their prayers? Obviously, whoever they call upon neither hears them nor understands, because only that which is heard can be understood; rather, they are deceased, not alive, and they themselves do not know when they will be raised. See Surah An-Nahl (20, 21), Fatir (13, 14), and Ahqaf (5, 6).
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
43. 1. That is, let alone having the authority for intercession, they do not even know the meaning and concept of intercession, because they are stones. Or they are unaware.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Have they taken others besides Allah as intercessors? Say: Even if they have no power over anything and no understanding [59]?
[59] The polytheists of Makkah used to present this argument for worshipping their idols: that these are our intercessors before Allah. Through their intercession, our matters are resolved. So, firstly, just because someone is an intercessor, does it necessarily mean that he should be taken as a deity? And secondly, these idols have neither intellect nor understanding, they neither hear nor speak. They cannot even move from their place, nor do they have any authority over anything, so how will they intercede for you?